Book Review Playing Days 
by Benjamin Markowitz
Fiction, Faber & Faber, pb, £12.99
Book Review: Playing Days
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“Books are mostly about things happening to people… but nothing ever seems to happen to me. So I want to write books about that.”
In his fifth offering, Benjamin Markowitz dwells on events that shape any young man’s coming-of-age; the themes of love and identity intertwining against the backdrop of a basketball court as Markowitz manages to dig up a few events that may or may not have happened to him during his time at a struggling basketball club in Germany.
Though the novel’s narrator and writer share the same name, it’s not certain that they share the same story. As Markowitz struggles in his new environment, where the old jaded players cause jealous conflict with the up-and-coming youngsters, he finds comfort in the arms of Anke, estranged wife of his pseudo-mentor and predecessor in the team, Bo Hadnot. Torn between loyalty to the team and his first real love, Markowitz beautifully portrays his struggle just to survive the culture clash. Highly recommended.
Posted on Wednesday 4th August 2010
Vincent Krasauskas
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